CONSTITUTIONAL COMMENTARY AND EVENTS
ARTICLES AND STATEMENTS
A VISIT TO U-TURN: TURNING LIVES AROUND
On 25 April 2025, a FW de Klerk Foundation delegation visited U-turn and learned more about the important services that they provide for the homeless.
WINDS OF CHANGE AND THE GROWTH OF NATIONAL CONSCIOUSNESS
Christo van der Rheede, Executive Director of the FW de Klerk Foundation, reflects on former British prime minister Harold Macmillan’s 1960 “Winds of change” speech in relation to the changes currently occurring, both locally and internationally.
AN OFFICE FOR BUDGET RESPONSIBILITY: IS THE PARLIAMENTARY BUDGET OFFICE DOING ENOUGH?
Ismail Joosub considers the high stakes Parliament faces as it prepares to receive a revised national budget, on 21 May, with waning confidence in the ability of both the executive and Parliament to provide clear fiscal leadership, and proposes the establishment of an Office for Budget Responsibility.
PODCASTS
SUBMISSIONS
ARTICLE: THE FUTURE OF AFRIKAANS AT UNIVERSITY LEVEL
Vladimir Lenin said that “when the time comes for us to hang the capitalists they will compete with one another to sell us the rope”. In the same manner, Afrikaners are playing a leading role in assisting the ANC to eclipse Afrikaans as a language of tuition at university level.
Most of those involved are decent and honourable people. Many of them profess a love for Afrikaans and are determined to continue to use it in their private lives.
ARTICLE: EVENTUALLY WE WILL HAVE TO TALK TO EACH OTHER… BUT HOW?
South Africans are shocked by scenes playing out of late, particularly on historically Afrikaans campuses. These incidents are part of a process that began at the end of 2015 with #Rhodesmustfall. Shortly afterwards it was #Feesmustfall, with similar origins. Then Open Stellenbosch followed, where racial and anti-Afrikaans sentiments were more visible, and then ReformPuk. At the start of 2016, all of this deteriorated into undisguised racism and xenophobia, with slogans of “F … whites” and even “Kill all the whites” appearing on walls and T-shirts. When art was burned at UCT, students shouted: “It is whiteness burning!”. And last week it culminated at UP with #Afrikaansmustfall and violence and physical attacks and counter-attacks.
ARTICLE: INTERNATIONAL MOTHER LANGUAGE DAY
International Mother Language Day is held worldwide on 21 February to promote awareness of linguistic and cultural diversity and multilingualism. Observed since 2008, the date of 21 February corresponds to the day in 1952 when students in what is today Bangladesh who were demonstrating for the recognition of Bangla as one of the two national languages of East Pakistan, were shot dead by police.
SPEECHES
EVENTS
THE CONSTITUTION IN ACTION PODCAST: WOMEN’S MONTH X MONEY SMART WEEK 2025 DISCUSSION
In honour of Women’s Month and Money Smart Week 2025, the Constitutional Advancement Programme team hosted a roundtable discussion featuring Thando Malinga, Amirah Hassim, Nadia Adam (FAB Foundation Founder) and Kamvakazi Myataza (Project Youth SA Board Member).
SUBMISSION ON CONSTITUTION 22ND AMENDMENT BILL (PMB BY MANYI, MK MP)
The FW de Klerk Foundation’s submission regarding the proposed Constitution Twenty-Second Amendment Bill by Honourable Mzwanele Manyi of the MK Party.
TURNING COMMUTING COSTS INTO YOUTH OPPORTUNITY
Ismail Joosub considers the financial burden of commuting for many South African Youth, in recognition of Money Smart Week 2025.
CONSTITUTIONAL ISSUES
- Equality
- Non-racialism
- Gender Rights
- The Constitution
- The Rule of Law
- Multiparty Democracy
- Personal Rights
- Cultural, Religious and Language Rights
- Freedom of Expression and Political Rights
- Social and Economic Rights
- Property Rights
- Education
- Access To The Courts, Information And Fair Adminstration